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The Roses of Ilúvatar  by Orophins Dottir 7 Review(s)
LindorienReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/24/2004
Wow. Why is Legolas sick? So the Gondor People don't eat roasted peppers, but fry everything? Yuck. I prefer the roasted peppers and lovely cheeses. That would set Legolas to rights. How nice that Rosie makes such lovely bread. I move along.

Lindorien

ChiggerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2003
"He had met the elves." How much you have said in so short a sentence! So much must change once the simple folk meet those wonderful people. I had never really thought of that before, but I suppose it's true. I mean, how would it feel to suddenly run into one today? Pretty weird. And I'm sure they would be thinking the same thing. :)

Author Reply: I would love to meet Tolkien's elves. They hearken back to the original concepts of the Norse legends, and the Tuatha Dé Danaan (People of the Goddess Danu) and their descendents, the Sidhe, of Ireland. If you don't know them, meet them and be amazed. It was a sad day when the elves became Keebler cookie endors and appalling statues in tasteless gardens. *sighs and gets off her soap box*

Thank you for recognizing what I intended in that one little sentence. Very perceptive. I had originally written several paragraphs and then decided it was too much. Sam meeting the elves and Legolas letting him touch his hair were enough.

Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil



CorielReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/22/2003
How sweet is that! ^_^ But it sounds like Legolas needs his protein. I remember Thranduil at least was not averse to roast meat. The Elves in Gondor ought to get together and make some their way if they don't like what's available. Trust me; it will do him good!

If he gets any worse, I would not be surprised if Thranduil came down himself to force-feed him. Send him all my best get-well wishes!

Author Reply: Ah, but Thranny never had Beef a la Gondor! Never fear, Rosie is now on the case, and I have the feeling that one of the older brethern Galadhrim is about to blow a cork over the food situation and general unpleasantness towards the elves. Perhaps Rumil. I haven't given him much to do of late. But then, Haldir in a snit is really quite impressive. It happens so rarely. Decisions, decisions.

We will add your wishes of returned health to the growing stack by Legolas' bedside. Poor Elf Boy! How we all do torment him.

Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/21/2003
I love that Arwen has brought a touch of elfdom to Gondor - how lovely to have the benches and open windows. I am not an elf, and they would be my choice to sit too.

Now, my poor Legolas is still ailing and I do not know why? When shall we learn of what malady has struck our dear princeling? He is thin and not hungry, and I am glad Rosie's bread aids him, but it sounds like our ailing prince should be sleeping beneath beech and willow, and eating the finest fruits and lembas the elves can provide. Dow his father the King know of this?

PS Still pondering which Valar....:D

Author Reply: Thranduil is resting, thank you, and Humble Scribe hopes to keep it that way! I do not like to think what he might do to Gondor if he finds out what happened to Legolas there. However, Rosie is on the case, and she's a better cook. Galadriel is sending lembas I would assume.

To know what befell Legolas, see the new chapter 2 of "Jewels of his Existence". Depending on the insanity level of Real Life here, it may get into this story this weekend.

Ponder away, revered Web Elf!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/21/2003
This story is as well done and I expected it to be. The hobbits are vividly presented. Elanor is mischievous but loving. And I am touched by the picture of the ill Legolas.

Author Reply: Thanks as always! I've slightly revised the chapter since you read it, but it's essentially the same. Primarily, I took out the bit about Haldir and Namo. I saw that as starting to get too complicated if I were juggling two stories as one here and the Wood-Elf insanity as well. Plus, the evil forces of the Stories of Arda list issued a new holiday challenge, and a vision of Galadriel and Christmas did spring full blown into my head. I'm glad I'm not the designated turkey cooker this holiday!

Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/20/2003
So, my lady, have we, (meaning you), found out, yet, what afflicts our dear Greenleaf? He's just not himself. Whatever's happened, he's slow to recover.
Sam is such a sweet fellow. He's as steady and solid as the earth. How can anyone not love someone who is so guileless and true to his own heart? What a nice scene with Sam giving his bread to Legolas. I just knew Rosie could beat Martha all to pieces with her cooking!
You have done a great job of giving distinct personalities to each character and showing the cultural and ethnic differences of Elves and Hobbits....but in a very non-threatening way. Your characters seemed to embrace those differences rather than finding others 'wrong' for not being like them. I suppose the modern world could take a lesson or two.....
Very nicely done.....now, when are we going to get the whole story?....inquiring minds want to know? :>) Karen

Author Reply: Lo, my lady, a serious reply! Note down this date!

Legolas and Sam have survived a very long journey that took them into an unbearable darkness. Yet, each in his own way found a way to bear the burden of that darkness. Along the path, Legolas abandoned his certainties about dwarves and their vast differences from his own folk and became one half of what I consider one of the most emblematic friendships in all literature.

And, Sam? Sam overcame the overwhelming ordinariness of his existence. The gardener, who eavesdropped on wizards and never dreamed of leaving the Shire although curious about the elves, grew to be honored even by the Valar. He put one ordinary hobbit foot in front of another and, in the end, Sauron himself could not defeat him. I do so love Sam.

Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/20/2003
You have a wonderful way with showing the differences between hobbit and Elf, and particularly the ways in which each complements the other.

This is very interesting:

"The elf took it politely and wondered how he would eat it, for he did not wish to hurt Sam, but he was wary of all food made by mortals."

What a gentle, soothing chapter!

Author Reply: Thank you, dear Hobbit Mentor! Your words are high praise. I have decided to turn this into a writing challenge for myself. With "The Jewels of his Existence", I am going to treat the same time period of interaction with the elves from two entirely different viewpoints, those of Rosie and Sam (and perhaps other hobbits), and that of Gimli, the dwarf. Let's see what happens.

I hope each story will stand independently, but they will be interwined. I may be able to post Chapter 2 of "Jewels" tonight but am not quite sure the eyeballs will stay open long enough!

Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

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